Tanya Maniktala joins Rajkummar Rao’s second production; to share screen space with Keerthy Suresh - Reports

Actor Tanya Maniktala is set to play a pivotal role in Rajkummar Rao’s second production, an untitled drama exploring the flaws and pressures of India’s education system. The film, which also stars Keerthy Suresh alongside Rao, will be directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, best known for his debut feature 'Sector 36' (2024). Tanya is slated to begin shooting in November, with a 30-day schedule planned for her portions.The story, as per reports from Mid Day, delves into the growing commercialization of education, the mental toll of academic expectations, and the definitions of success and failure imposed on young minds. Tanya’s character plays a crucial role in questioning the system’s rigidity and moral compromises. After the gritty realism of ‘Sector 36’ which was inspired by the Nithari killings, director Aditya Nimbalkar shifts his lens toward another socially charged theme which is the politics of education. Aditya reportedly wanted an actor who could balance strength with sensitivity, and Tanya fit that vision perfectly. Reportedly, Tanya was the first choice for the director in the role. Earlier, in a conversation with IANS, Tanya emphasized her commitment to choosing meaningful characters. “It has never been about just being part of a film; it’s about what my character brings to the story,” she said, rejecting what she calls “flowerpot roles” — where women exist only to decorate a frame. Meanwhile, Keerthy Suresh recently made her debut in Bollywood with the actioner 'Baby John' starring Varun Dhawan in the lead. The movie was a remake of the Tamil film 'Theri' and unfortunately it received mixed reviews from the audiences.